Parking permits in the GSMNP

[ken56]

The NPS is toying with the idea of implementing a parking permit system in the GSMNP. The is a public input period so that people can express their thoughts on the NPS website. They are also thinking about doubling camping fees. The park will remain free to get into and tour but if you park to hike you will be required to have a permit. WATE and WBIR news covered this so if you want to see what the news stories said go to their websites.

It's kind of difficult to NOT STOP somewhere in the park to see the sights. 14.1 MILLION people came to the GSMNP last year.

[ken56]

Mayor30 wrote:
Maybe we're doing something different in Pa,but for the past 20 + years the parks have been upgraded with more FHU sites and new bathouses and concession stands. And the rates are pretty reasonable. In Va state parks we paid $48 for a W&E hookups. In Pa you can get FHU for less than that.For state residents it's $27 for electric and $40 for FHU.They charge $4 more per nite for a Friday and Saturday but give a senior discount of $4.50 a nite.

This is the National Park, not a state park. Tennessee state parks are well run and very nice. Some of the best state parks I've been in.

[Mayor30]

Maybe we're doing something different in Pa,but for the past 20 + years the parks have been upgraded with more FHU sites and new bathouses and concession stands. And the rates are pretty reasonable. In Va state parks we paid $48 for a W&E hookups. In Pa you can get FHU for less than that.For state residents it's $27 for electric and $40 for FHU.They charge $4 more per nite for a Friday and Saturday but give a senior discount of $4.50 a nite.

[djsamuel]

charlestonsouthern wrote:
Would fee-based parking permits include those people who have lifetime senior citizens or "golden" passes provided by federal parks across the US?

According to the FAQ list from the park, the passes like the golden passes will not cover the parking fee. Everyone will have to pay.

[magnusfide]

pbeverly wrote:
I don't know what the solution is. The reality is things are totally different today from when the National Parks were created. People now have the ability to easily get to them and experience them. That ease creates a numbers problem.

Yes, the parks are supported by our tax dollars. Another reality is the money the parks are getting from our tax dollars is not enough to maintain the parks. There is a serious backlog of maintenance issues.

Here in SC the State Parks have to be able to sustain themselves. This has actually improved the parks. Yes you pay to get into the bigger and popular parks. Those fees also help keep the crime down.

Again, don't know the solution but something has to be done. Will be camping for a week in May near the GSMNP before school is out, so hopefully not too bad. Went to Grand Canyon last year 2 weeks after Easter hoping to miss Spring Break and had no crowd issues. I am sure COVID helped the crowd issues there last year.

Good words and a good point. Just because there are taxes doesn't mean the politicians will send more of those dollars to the parks. SC has excellent state parks at least those I've visited. I agree that it does keep down the crime too.

[pbeverly]

I don't know what the solution is. The reality is things are totally different today from when the National Parks were created. People now have the ability to easily get to them and experience them. That ease creates a numbers problem.

Yes, the parks are supported by our tax dollars. Another reality is the money the parks are getting from our tax dollars is not enough to maintain the parks. There is a serious backlog of maintenance issues.

Here in SC the State Parks have to be able to sustain themselves. This has actually improved the parks. Yes you pay to get into the bigger and popular parks. Those fees also help keep the crime down.

Again, don't know the solution but something has to be done. Will be camping for a week in May near the GSMNP before school is out, so hopefully not too bad. Went to Grand Canyon last year 2 weeks after Easter hoping to miss Spring Break and had no crowd issues. I am sure COVID helped the crowd issues there last year.

[CharlesinGA]

Clingman's dome is insane and the shuttle bus, one from the east and one from the west would be a much better situation. The east side of the park is much overlooked (a good thing for those who visit it) and there is much to see and do both inside and outside the park.

Charles

[dodge_guy]

I’ve said it before. We pay for the Parks with our Taxes. To tax it again to use them is not right. On top of the fee to get a timed entry ticket to get in said paid for Park!

Yes it’s crowded. But I’d you don’t like crowds then don’t go during the busy time. Otherwise it’s not on me to pay to use something that we are already paying for!

[magnusfide]

ken56 wrote:
The park has a mandate of no fees. From its very beginning FDR promised there should be no fees for this national park. I honestly don't think this will be implemented but still, go to the NPS website and voice your opinions.

Technically, the entrance to the park itself will not have a fee. It is the parking that will require a fee.

Personally I'm seeing some of our parks are struggling with over-usage. They're being trampled. Limiting per diem visitors isn't a popular idea but it's the only solution that seems floatable right now to allow the parks to recover.

[ken56]

The park has a mandate of no fees. From its very beginning FDR promised there should be no fees for this national park. I honestly don't think this will be implemented but still, go to the NPS website and voice your opinions.

[tntrapshooter]

I can't speak to the FDR promise.  But I've always understood that there are no entry fees to the GSMNP because the owners that donated much of the property that comprises the park stipulated that the donation was on the condition that an no fee would ever be fee charged to people to see park.  I think the parking fee charge is breaking the sprit of the agreement.  I wish there was another way for the park to collect the much needed fees.  My understanding also is that your annual or lifetime NPS pass from the USGS does not help with the GSMNP parking fee.

[JoeH]

monkey44 wrote:
I agree JoeH ... that's why the park will likely gain little if any funds from a charge for parking. It will probably cost more to enforce it than it generates.

And, what about those with ATB passes? Do those count as a parking pass? And, if we leave the pass on the dash, how do we use it in the park? I have no clue, but generating a parking fee becomes a lot more complex than just 'charge a parking fee', I think.

I agree too.... while the concept is OK with me ( I don't mind to pay to park if it helps support the park) , with the openness of the park and multitude of entrances/roads and no kiosks/entry gates, it'll be a bear to enforce. We go there at least once a year and stop for a week or so on our way north ( and sometimes on the way back to FL) and do a lot of hiking so we do use parking at the areas around trailheads.

[monkey44]

I agree JoeH ... that's why the park will likely gain little if any funds from a charge for parking. It will probably cost more to enforce it than it generates.

And, what about those with ATB passes? Do those count as a parking pass? And, if we leave the pass on the dash, how do we use it in the park? I have no clue, but generating a parking fee becomes a lot more complex than just 'charge a parking fee', I think.

[JoeH]

monkey44 wrote:

JoeH wrote:
...and then I think who will be enforcing the parking if they go to permits ?
Rangers are few and far between in the park.

NPS will use the parking money to pay a couple of vendor employees to enforce the parking stickers and cite the cars without one. IF any money is left after payroll, federal taxes, and benefits, the park might get it for parking lot maintenance.

With 800 sq miles and over 400 miles of roads within the park, it's going to be a huge effort to enforce and educate.

[vermilye]

zb39 wrote:
I was at Zion and thought the shuttle system was the WORST I have seen anywhere in the world.

I will NEVER use them again. I will only go when I can use my own car to get around.

Well, I was at Zion the day before the shuttle system opened for the season, and every parking pull off was full with cars parked along the road for a half mile or so either side of every pullout. Many sections were reduced to one lane with volunteers trying to guide traffic. A complete zoo.

While the shuttle system isn't perfect, it is far better than the results when there is nothing.